The warm weather has arrived in the Pacific Northwest after what seemed like eons of rain, snow, random hail storms (in April??), and then more rain. The strawberries have been very happy about the excessive water though, and today we picked our first ripe berry of the season. We shared it as a family, and let me tell you it was a lovely way to begin a Monday morning!
Everyone really enjoyed their piece of the sweet red berry, except my 2.5 year old who felt he should have had the whole thing to himself and was more than a little upset that wasn’t the case. Boy did he let us know his grievances, too! Yikes.
Tantrums aside, as I masticated the tender flesh, I couldn’t help but picture my food forest in all its fruiting glory. Creamy, dreamy tomatoes, crisp peppers, sweet cherries, scrumptious herbs, plump pumpkins, delectable Jerusalem artichokes, new potatoes, and farm fresh eggs! It all sounds so wonderful! Something about growing your own food, in any capacity is very satisfying, and inspirational to me. It’s what God intended, and I feel involved with His creation on an intimate level.
When I was working full time as a graphic designer, I felt very far from nature and creation. Driving a noisy car through a busy concrete jungle to an office filled with artificial light and computer screens was crushing my soul. I dreamed of ways to get out from under my manager’s thumb and manage my own day.
Part of that dream involved learning to sustain myself on multiple levels; working for myself, gardening, sewing, and ultimately homesteading! As I continue to develop, expand, and watch my food forest flourish, I am filled with an eternal gratitude to my creator for all the wonderful things He has made.
This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.
All glory to God for His hand in helping me get where I am today.
Signed,
The Grateful Homesteader
Artful Homemaker 